1Measure of 4-year colleges in area with extra credit for highly rated schools.2Index based on cost of labor, energy, taxes and office space.3Index based on cost of housing, utilities, transportation and other expenditures.4Crimes per 100,000 residents.5Index based on museums, theaters, golf course, sports teams and other activities.6Share of Population over age 25 with a bachelor's degree or higher.
* 5-year annualized figures.Sources: Economy.com; Sperling's BestPlaces.